In the inagural episode of the Mentally Healthy Workplaces Asia podcast we meet the host of the show Wen Li Lim from Singapore. She is joined by guest Jason van Schie, Managing Director and psychologist at People Diagnostix and founder of FlourishDx.

They discuss the term mental health and how it is often stigmatised. Jason introduces Wen to the mental health continuum and the integrated model of workplace mental health. They discuss some of the differences between Asia and Australia in how workplace mental health is understood and addressed.

The discuss why employers should be interested in employee mental health, including data on the severity of the issue of poorly managed mental health at work. Jason introduces the ISO 45003:2021 standard for psychological health and safety at work and how it is likely to change the way workplace mental health is done from a current focus on individuals and symptoms to systems and prevention.

2021 has been a difficult year for many, especially in the workplace as many countries in Asia continue to be locked down and working at home becoming the default.

Many employees are languishing and employers and managers are struggling to adjust to the new normal, to retain staff, to keep them motivated and engaged, and prevent burnout and absenteeism.

The purpose of this podcast is to be a platform for thought leadership, conversations and practical guidance from subject matter experts, service providers, innovative tech platforms and employers who are applying international best practice or are creating new best practice to address workplace mental health in a region where this historically has not been high on the agenda for businesses.

We as a community in Asia have a shared responsibility, not just as individuals, but as employers, colleagues and the broader community to help create mentally healthy workplaces, so we can prevent suffering and promote human flourishing.

The first episode will air on World Mental Health Day on 10 October. So share with your colleagues and settle in as move forward thought and practice create mentally healthy workplaces in Asia.